Dubai set to add 705 MW power capacity

Dubai will increase it power generation output by 705 megawatts (MW) this year, with a third of that due online in February, a Dubai Electricity and Water Authority spokesman said on Thursday.

The state-run utility plans to reach 10,000 MW of power in 2012, up from around 7,500 MW. Turbines at a new plant known as the M-station would start up one by one over the next two years, adding just over 2,000 MW to capacity through 2011.

The first 235 MW gas turbine was due online this month, DEWA chief executive Saeed Mohammed Al-Tayer said on Wednesday. Two more turbines of the same size would start this year.

In 2011, Dewa would bring online three more 235 MW gas turbines and three steam turbines with 220 MW each.

Dewa has around 600,000 customers. Power demand grew at over 6 per cent in Dubai last year to 5,622 MW, and Dewa expects similar growth in 2010.

Dubai said last month it was considering ordering its first privately-operated power station as it looks to cut costs.